We Mourn the Passing of Keith Smith,
But We celebrate an Oklahoma and an America that is More Just
Because of the Life of Keith Smith
Governor
Walters, Senators, Representatives, Commissioner, Reverend, Distinguished
Guests, friends and Keith’s family, I am honored to share this time with you. I
extend the deepest sympathy and gratitude to Keith’s family. Thank you for
sharing Keith with us.
Today we celebrate the victory of Keith’s life. We celebrate what he taught us
about the strength of the human spirit, about each of us, about the power each
of us has to lift our voices in one chorus. In his daily life and in his
tireless advocacy, Keith taught us all that simple, consistent acts of passion
and perseverance can be a catalyst for change.
Keith fought for each of us here today. But perhaps, more importantly, he fought for those who are not in this Rotunda, for those who didn’t have a voice. Keith was many things to us; he was a friend, an advocate, a warrior, a fighter of all our progressive causes.
Keith was a Patriot. What he did for each of us in these very halls was a daily example of a true American servant. Here he fought for what he believed in: an Oklahoma in which everyone gets a fair shot and the opportunity to be heard, an Oklahoma where the Constitution is revered as the guarantor of the rights of the oppressed. In his life and in his service, his activism and his compassion, Keith invoked all of us to act.
We will keep alive Keith’s dream of a better life for Oklahomans and a more just vision for America: an Oklahoma and an America where young children are loved and respected regardless of their lifestyle or the color of their skin, where our civil and constitutional rights are secured, where the air we breathe and the water we drink is held sacred and protected, where corporate America is held accountable, where politicians are responsive to the interests of those who they are elected to serve – not corporate shills, or as Keith would say those Blankety-Blank Whores!
Keith’s legacy is that he has given us strength to face the world, to stand up for what we believe in, to “not move to the right or to the center” – but to be proud Democrats and to maintain our conviction in what is right for America.
We will all work to keep Keith’s dream, his passion, and his memory alive as we go forward to continue his work. In our constant struggles and in our respective roles, we can all be thankful that Keith will never cease to inspire us. On those late nights in the office and those long days when it seems like we need nothing short of a miracle, we will go on knowing we’ve got a great man on our side in the Heavens above. His victories often seemed to border on the miraculous, and maybe, just maybe, Keith will send down just a few more miracles to help us along the way.
Keith and I shared many passions, one of those being our respect and love for the environment. As a lifetime member of the Sierra Club, and on behalf of my fellow Sierrans, we are deeply grateful for Keith’s work for our environment. The Lorax is my favorite book, which reminds me so much of Keith. With apologies to Dr. Seuss, I will close with a poem that I dedicate to Keith, our Lorax. - Kalyn Free
In that town called the Capitol where the politicians all meet
Lived a man who was different, so kind and so sweet.
He worked and he played in a profession quite crazy,
He was so many things, but certainly not lazy.
From North Villa Avenue, he plotted and planned,
He fought for us all, our water, our land.
Who was this man who has won all our hearts?
What did he do, before he vanished these parts?
His name was Keith Smith and he spoke for the trees,
He spoke for the trees, because the trees have no tongues,
He spoke for us all, at the top of his lungs.
He would tell politicians, “You are crazy with greed,
It’s civil rights, health care and a living wage we all need.”
Some of them listened and some took heed,
But others were blinded by big money, they thought they did need.
“I repeat,” cried out Keith, “I stand for those who don’t have a voice.
I speak for those who need reproductive choice.”
But some of them just didn’t care,
They didn’t want us all to be treated justly and fair.
So in no time at all, Keith made us a list,
He said “There’s some folks at the Capitol at whom I am pissed.”
We didn’t ask why, we always knew,
If Keith said they were bad, we knew it was true.
He said, “Hit their districts, tell the voters the truth.”
He got us their records, he was quite the sleuth.
He told us the ones who were Chesapeake Whores,
And into their districts, we went to their doors.
He was oh so effective in campaigns and such,
He killed bills in committees that hurt women so much.
He knew the Bill of Rights is the Law of the Land,
And our Freedom of Speech, he did demand.
Be it books at the library or prayer in schools,
He didn’t bow down to those right wing fools.
But sometimes we lost, and bad legislation did pass,
When tax cuts went to those who sell gas.
“Thad Balkman” he cried, “I’m going to kick your Ass.”
There were those he sent to knock Cleveland County,
Others he called and said, “Send money for bounty.”
And kick ass he did, and Thad went down for the count,
But Keith didn’t rest, for he had more fights to mount.
He taught us so well, by example he did lead,
But what do we do now, for Keith you have left us in need?
He looks down from above and whispers, “The Seed.
It’s Keith Smith Seeds – their the last ones of all.
I’m in each of your hearts, don’t let my work stall.
You are all now in charge of these Seeds.
And love and compassion are what everyone needs.
So plant new lobbyists, it will take at least two,
To do half of the work that I used to do.
Give birth to more activists, groom them with care,
Give them clean water and feed them fresh air.
Grow a forest of Democrats – only real ones to be sure,
Protect them from others, they’ll be sure to endure.
Invest in our Party, to the future do look,
You know what to do, you don’t need a book.
You’ve got what you need, you each have a good heart,
You must work together, and all do your part.
I’ll be up here watching and pulling some strings,
You know I can’t keep out of those politic things.
When the going gets rough and you want to stop,
I’ll give you a burst of energy to make that next lit drop.
Remember, UNLESS people like us care a whole awful lot,
Nothing is going to get better, it’s Not.
You were all so dear and made my life complete,
I’m in Heaven now, where life is so sweet.
Please don’t grieve for me, you’ve got work to do,
For of the really good activists, there are still too few.
But, I gotta say, you’ve put on a hell of a show,
The Rotunda today, this I just love you know!
Thank you so much for sharing you with me,
From where I am now, the future I see.
You will help turn the tide in our fair state,
And next year and beyond our Democratic wins will be great!”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
World Aids Day – December 1, 2006
In loving memory of my friend and hero,
- Kalyn Free
The entire memorial service was videotaped, thanks to arrangements by Chris Hildebrand. A DVD is available for $15 by contacting Randy Poff of Digital Video Productions, www.dvpofokc.com or 405-722-5600. The address is 11333 Windmill Road, OKC 73162. Randy's work and this low price is a favor to Chris. There may or may not be shipping charges; I didn't ask.
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